About Zellige

Zellige (also zellij) is a traditional Moroccan glazed terracotta tile, handmade in Fez using techniques unchanged for over 1,000 years. Each tile is hand-cut from a larger fired slab, resulting in slightly irregular shapes, varying glaze thickness, and characteristic crazing (fine cracks in the glaze). These "imperfections" are not defects - they are the defining aesthetic of zellige and what distinguishes it from machine-made tiles.

The base body is terracotta (fired clay), making zellige porous underneath its glaze. The enamel glaze is traditionally lead-based (modern production often uses lead-free alternatives) and provides colour and some water resistance, but the crazing allows moisture to penetrate over time. This makes zellige more maintenance-intensive than standard glazed ceramics.

Zellige has experienced a massive revival in European interior design, appearing in luxury kitchens, bathrooms, and restaurants. The handmade irregularity, depth of colour, and play of light across the undulating glazed surface create an artisanal warmth that mass-produced tiles cannot replicate. Colours range from the iconic Fez Blue to white, green, terracotta, and black.